'Finland Calling' celebrates 51 years on the air

Carl and Doris Pellonpaa pose at the “Finland Calling” dance at the Wakefield VFW on Sunday.

WAKEFIELD — Richie Yurkavich and Polkarioty performed Sunday at a dance at the Wakefield VFW to celebrate “Finland Calling” being on the air for 51 years. More than 120 people showed up, said Carl Pellonpaa.

“It’s a proud moment to know that there is so much support for the show after 51 years,” said Pellonpaa. “It makes my heart pound a little bit.”

“Finland Calling” is the longest running variety television show in the nation. The show’s host, Pellonpaa, an Ishpeming, Mich., native, penned an autobiography in 2011, also called Finland Calling, with Jerry Harju.

The next dance is July 7 in Covington, Mich., and the band will play patriotic music for an hour in honor of Independence Day, said Pellonpaa. His wife, Doris Pellonpaa, will sing.